24 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



found, according to the degree of a priest ; " and the tenure of office 

 was for life, *'as well in sickness as in health, as far forth as God 

 would give grace and bodily health." In each indenture the gild 

 bound itself to find all ornaments necessary for singing mass — bread, 

 wine, wax, chalice, mass-book, vestments, &c., while the priests, on 

 their parts, agreed to sing at all divine services, so far as their learn- 

 ing and ''conyng" extended, binding themselves not to be absent 

 without special leave, and not to relinquish their posts except on 

 promotion to benefices. 



In 1534, when the gild acquired the residence, garden, and 

 premises belonging to the family of Blackney or Blakeney, known as 

 Elakeney's Inns, in exchange for some lands at Saucerstown, near 

 Swords, the place was formed into a college for the chantry priests, and 

 in their appointments the special apartments assigned to each are 

 specifically designated ; thus, we learn that one was known as the 

 " second tower of Blakeney's Inns " (the chamber next the vault) ; 

 another as the " fourth chamber," &c,, and the gild undertook their 

 repair and maintenance. In certain instances the occupants them- 

 selves effected improvements. Sir James More, whose appointment 

 dated from 1535, hedged a little garden in his possession with " quick 

 frythe," and it is stated that he intended to erect some buildings 

 within the precincts of S. Anne's Inns ; a stone wall, made at his cost, 

 is mentioned later on. Sir Thady Cor built a loft, with stairs, over a 

 cellar under his chamber, called " S. Anne's workhouse." 



In 1546 Robert Titzsymon, clerk (one of the two attached to the 

 church),^ was granted an annuity of £8, in part payment for his services 

 in S. Audoen's church, in singing and playing at the organs at all 

 services, principal feasts, and holydays ; on " feryall " days only, at 

 Mary mass and anthem, and Jesus mass on the Friday ; he was to 

 have the appointment of a sexton. The other clerk was to carry holy j 

 water, and wait on the curate in visiting sick folk. Half profit of the ; 

 bells and church cake was to be Fitzsymon's. I 



In 1540 William Fynnyn was appointed for life to one of the ; 

 clerkships in the church at a salary of 7 marks, with halfendele of I 

 the church cake, bells, and " mind " money. His duties consisted in ; 

 singing and reading in choir daily at divine service ; every second ! 

 week he was to cause fire and water to be brought, and he was also to 

 ring the bells, and wait on the parish priest in visiting sick folk. 



^ Joan Douce in 1381 bequeathed a sum of money to the two clerks of 

 S. Audoen's parish church. (See No. 20.) 



